I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 32

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 32

As time passed, the first day of the Academy’s autumn festival finally arrived.

Since yesterday, the Academy was filled with all sorts of booths and unfamiliar sights. What was already lively had now reached its peak, almost on the brink of exploding.

“The baking club booth is selling freshly baked bread!”

“The shooting booth is starting a shooting score competition! The reward is a cute doll that both winners and losers will die for!”

“Hey there, student! Want to get a free portrait?!”

Expecting something grand for the Academy festival, I was pleasantly surprised to replace it similar to a regular university festival.

And that’s what made it even better. Festivals should be like this. I’d rather avoid the formal atmosphere.

Though someday I may become a noble and part of the political elite, for now, I’m just a regular student.

And amidst all that youthful energy, their passion and fervor shine through.

And that fervor further stirred the hearts of the four protagonists.

“Oh, Karl! Look at this! The atmosphere is amazing! Why did we change our booth to something else when our luxury cuisine booth could have shined in this kind of atmosphere?!”

What’s this guy saying now? If you have a conscience, you shouldn’t say such things.

“It sounds like a luxurious dish, but when you taste it, it’s actually a bomb. Shulifen.”

“A bomb, that’s too much, really!”

“Admit it, Shulifen. Your food is the worst, and you should be grateful that Karl has tamed it down.”

“You too, Wilhelm!”

“…Ahem.”

These idiots. I didn’t just choose Bungeoppang and Hotteok for nothing.

I’ve already checked them out. I checked to see if they could do it right.

Could they pull off something that only skilled chefs can do in a makeshift booth.

And the result was… well, as expected, it turned out to be a horrible biochemical weapon.

“This is cooking. Okay. What should the name be? ‘Twisted Demonic Vomit of the Twiligh?’”

“That’s too much, Karl.”

“Your cooking is even worse, Shulifen. Next!”

Even though they insisted I try it, I absolutely refused to eat it. Good-looking food is also good to eat. But how do you eat that?

“…Wilhelm. What did you use instead of stock?”

“Seasoning is bad for your health.”

“Not using seasoning in cooking is a disqualification. Next.”

Do you know why Shin Ramyun lost to spicy Jin Ramen?

It’s because they said, ‘We don’t use seasoning!’ and did some weird stuff, and that’s why they fell behind.

Why aren’t you using seasoning? Cooking is about making it delicious to eat.

“Hey. Alexander. You come here.”

“Why? Is it tasty?”

“Why don’t you check the seasoning while cooking? Okay? Next!!”

Everyone knows. How salty combat rations in the military are.

It’s like eating a day’s worth of salt in one meal.

It was so salty that even I, who was trained for three years, couldn’t handle it.

One guy didn’t add salt and the other guy carpet bombed it with salt.

How the hell did these guys end up as the Academy’s top four favorites?

…Ah. Faces. Yeah. I get it. Fuck. I get it!

“Finally, Joachim. You.”

“How’s it going?”

“Hmm.”

I was immediately taken into possession of the famous (expletive) British chef.

“What the fuck! This chicken is so undercooked it could come back to life! You stupid sandwich!”

“Eek!”

“You’re all disqualified! Just quietly do what I tell you to do!”

By this point, I’m starting to worry. I wonder if they’ll be able to make Bungeoppang and hotteok.

At this rate, it seems like they’re struggling not because the dishes they chose are difficult, but simply because they’re not good at it.

I only want to have a nostalgic snack, not a bioterrorist attack!

“Everyone shut up. We stick to the plan and move forward. If anyone wants to object, make sure to bring a dish that we can actually eat. Otherwise, keep your mouths shut!”

“Got it.”

At least they had consciences, and after tasting their dishes, they shut up.

After that, they quietly agreed to my ‘Bungeoppang and Hotteok booth’ plan.

Honestly, that’s how it should be. Unless you’ve lost your sense of taste, that’s how it should be.

“Karl.”

“Oh, hey. Selena?”

I turned around from setting up the booth and saw….

Goodness. What’s that? A white dress. Isn’t that the last thing you should wear in front of food?

It’s pretty. Yeah, it’s pretty but… I’m getting scared just thinking about it. What if something spills on that and doesn’t come off?

“Selena?”

“Uh, yeah. Karl.”

With a look of great expectation, Selena gazed at me.

Thanks to her, I hesitated for a moment but soon said what I wanted to say.

“Your apron’s over there. Just in case. Wrap it around. If anything gets on it, get rid of the dress.”

Honestly, it’s just Bungeoppang and Hotteok, and the four of them will do all the preparation, so I don’t think anything will spill, but you never know.

If you get something on your white clothes, it’s not only uncomfortable for you, but it’s also uncomfortable for the people watching.

Selena stared at me for a moment, then wordlessly grabbed her apron.

Then, with quite a skillful hand, she swiftly tied it over her dress.

“Turn around for a moment. I’ll tie the back strap for you.”

“Um… th-thanks. Karl.”

“It’s no big deal.”

I don’t know what to say next, and honestly, I’d rather not.

But then I think about it and realize that I should.

I’m here to help, so maybe it’s the least I can do.

“Nice outfit.”

Aahhhh! My hands and feet! I don’t know. That’s it. I’m not saying any more!

Even if Selena asks, “Uh? W-what did you say? Say it again!” I won’t acknowledge it.

We don’t do reruns. If you didn’t hear it, that’s it. Selena.

“Dough’s coming along well, Shulifen.”

“Uh, for now?”

“Wilhelm. If you mess up the filling again, I’ll bury you alive.”

“…If you’re really going to bury me, at least let me stick my head out, Karl.”

It’s currently five in the afternoon. We should start preparing soon, as we should start no later than seven in the evening.

It’s hot during the day, so we look for something cool, but at night, the air gets slightly chilly, so we look for something warm.

‘And Bungeoppang and hotteok should be eaten at night, as they should be.’

Now, the problem is whether those Four can produce a proper work.

I recalled as much as I could from my past life and taste to guide them. I had actually made them a few times before.

Moreover, there were many things here in this world that were similar to those two snacks.

In times like this, I’m really grateful that novels are the original world. Who knows, there might even be kimchi if I look.

How much time has passed like that? With a savory smell, Shulifen shouted, ‘It’s done!’ The glorious first Bungeoppang, born at the Academy.

“Karl! Look at this! The bread fish is ready!”

“It’s not a bread fish, it’s Bungeoppang.”

First and foremost, the shape is acceptable. The prepared mold fit very well.

And there’s no visible part where it’s burnt, even though it’s their first time.

This is luck. Or maybe it’s a skill Shulifen didn’t know he had.

Well, the most important thing is undoubtedly the taste.

“…Hmm.”

“How is it, Karl? Is it good enough to eat?”

Maybe they made such garbage until now because they considered it cooking.

Shulifen was looking at me with a very worried expression. Now that I think about it, the other three were quietly watching me, too.

“Shulifen.”

“Uh, what’s wrong? The crust? The filling?”

I immediately shoved the rest of the Bungeoppang into my mouth.

“It’s perfect.”

“Really?!”

Yeah. Really. It’s truly amazing.

There’s nothing lacking. The crust is crispy, the filling is well-balanced, and the shape is beautiful. It’s as if Shulifen has mastered the art of making Bungeoppang.

“Karl! How about this one this time? Hotteok?”

Seemingly driven by a sense of competition after Shulifen’s praise, Wilhelm presents the hotteok.

Let’s see. This one turned out much better than expected. It’s evenly spread, neither too thin nor too thick. The crust is perfectly crispy, and there’s no leakage from the filling.

In anticipation of the heat, I prepared a glass of cold water before taking a bite.

“…”

“How is it? Is it better than Shulifen’s?”

Phew. Damn. Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes. To think I’d eat something like this.

“It’s neck and neck.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“It means it’s perfect. Wilhelm, this one turned out very well too.”

At my words, the Four exchanged high fives.

They weren’t smiling, but I think they were nervous again.

Even Selena, who was helping here and there, smiled at the scene.

After tasting the Bungeoppang and hotteok made by each other diligently, the Four began to say something along the lines of, ‘Aren’t we cooking geniuses?’

“Uh, no. Don’t delude yourselves.”

Selena, who couldn’t bear to see it, stepped forward in my place.

Thanks, Selena. I thought I was fighting alone.

“Then, Karl! Let’s sell these right away…”

“Hey. Stop right there. Experimental works aren’t to be sold to customers.”

“Huh? But Karl, didn’t you say they all turned out well?”

“Still, it’s not allowed. Here, pack them all up. Since I asked you to do it, it’s only right that I handle what’s left, isn’t it?”

“It’s not about what’s left, we can just sell them…”

Shut up, you guys. These are all mine. Don’t touch them! My precious!

I’ll pack them neatly into bags and leisurely enjoy them one by one.

As we were preparing for the opening with great zeal…

“…Selena.”

“Yeah? Did you call me, Karl?”

I handed her a booklet I had personally made.

“Take a look at this. I need you to keep an eye on them as best you can.”

“Me? Karl, what about you? Wasn’t this your responsibility?”

“I am, but I’ve got an emergency. I need a favor.”

It might be a slightly awkward request. I just asked for a little help, after all.

But it can’t be helped. There’s nothing better than being able to remove uninvited guests on the first day.

“I trust only you, Selena. You’re the only one I can ask for this favor. Please, just make sure those people over there don’t do anything strange and follow orders properly. Can you do that for me?”

“W-well… um… but…”

“I’ll do you a favor later, too. Is that okay?”

A while later, I was able to leave the cooking booth with a slightly lighter heart.

Oh, of course, holding the bag of Bungeoppang and hotteok in one hand preciously.

I should give one to the poor agent who must be suffering in this rather cold weather.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]